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User:League Octopus/Club notability tables (and test)

< User:League Octopus

Introduction

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The club notability tables have been prepared as a quick reference aid for those preparing and assessing association football club articles. In particular the Tables can provide assistance to new Wikipedia Editors who may waste valuable time and effort preparing articles for non-notable clubs (that fail WP:GNG and WP:FOOTYN).

The essay is subject to consultation and feedback from WP Editors with amendments being made where there is general consensus. Feedback can be left on the essay's Talk page.

Within any league system there is likely to be a "Grey Area" where it becomes more difficult to determine whether competing clubs are notable. This is the area where Editors and Administrators have the greatest differences of opinion with the result that it is often difficult to obtain a general consensus. This is the area that has given WT:FOOTY and AfD decision-making the greatest difficulties in the recent past. The case is put forward in this essay that the "Grey Area" should be recognised and should be the subject of more rigorous scrutiny.

The essay generally conforms with Wikipedia:WikiProject Football/Notability but covers new ground in defining notable leagues (listed in the Yellow Column) and the Grey Area covering leagues at the next highest level (identified as the Grey Column). These additions could be included in the Club notability section of WP:FOOTYN and revised wording is suggested below.

The Tables below should be read in conjunction with the following simple test.

Club notability test

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Shortcut

Five questions

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Q1. Has the club played in a national cup (listed in the Blue Column)?

YES – the club can be assumed to be notable / progress to the Final questions.
NO – move on to Question 2.

Q2. Has the club played in a notable league (listed in the Yellow Column)?

YES – the club can be assumed to be notable / progress to the Final questions.
NO – move on to Question 3.

Q3. Has the club played in a league at the next highest level (listed in the Grey Column)?

YES – move on to Question 4.
NO – move on to Question 5.

Q4. Is there substantial identifiable media coverage (excluding match reports) about the club in reliable independent sources?

(Use these tools – sources – news – books – images)
YES – the club might be notable / progress to the Final questions.
NO – move on to Question 5.

Q5. Has the club played in the past in a competition of comparable status to one listed in the Blue or Yellow Columns?

YES – the club might be notable / progress to the Final questions.
NO – move on to the Articles for deletion.

Articles for deletion

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Any club that fails the above test is most unlikely to be notable and in the event that an article is prepared it will in due course be placed through Wikipedia's Articles for deletion process (commonly referred to as AfD). In a few instances exceptions could be made (if broader WP:N criteria can be met) but this is most unlikely.

Clubs that successfully navigate Questions 3 to 5 might also be deleted by the AfD process if shortcomings are identified (if WP:GNG cannot be achieved through existing or potential coverage in reliable independent sources).

Any club article that is poorly written and/or is unsourced runs the risk of being taken through the AfD process and deleted for failing to meet WP:GNG.

Final questions

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Q6. Does the completed article generally meet the notability standards set down in WP:GNG?

YES – the club is notable.
NO – move on to Question 7.

Q7. Has sufficient time been allowed for the preparation of the article?

YES – move back to Articles for deletion (third paragraph).
NO – allow a reasonable period of time for the preparation of the article (say 4 weeks).

It is essential that Editors meet the notability standards set down in WP:GNG when writing their club article.

Club notability tables

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Shortcut

The Tables are divided into 8 sections:

  1. Europe
  2. North America Central America and Caribbean
  3. South America
  4. Africa
  5. Asia
  6. Oceania
  7. Former countries
  8. Miscellaneous

Europe

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Country Tier Notable Divisions / Groups / Conferences No. Grey Area Total National Cup Pop. Sources
Albania 1–3 Superliga (1) – Division 1 (1) 2 Division 2 (2) 4 Albanian Cup 2.83m 1 2 3 4 5
Andorra 1–2 Primera Divisió (1) 1 Segona Divisió (1) 2 Copa Constitució 0.08m 1 2 3 4 5
Armenia 1–2 Premier League (1) 1 First League (1) 2 Armenian Cup 3.27m 1 2 3 4 5
Austria 1–4 Bundesliga (1) – Erste Liga (1) – Regionalliga Ost / Mitte / West (3) 5 Landesliga (9) 14 Austrian Cup 8.45m 1 2 3 4 5
Azerbaijan 1–2 Premier League (1) – First Division (1) 2 2 Azerbaijan Cup 9.24m 1 2 3 4 5
Belarus 1–3 Premier League (1) – First League (1) – Second League (1) 3 3 Belarusian Cup 9.46m 1 2 3 4 5
Belgium 1–4 Pro League (1) – Division 2 (1) – Division 3 (2) 4 Promotion (4) 8 Belgian Cup 10.95m 1 2 3 4 5
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–3 Premier League (1) – First League FBiH (1) / First League RS (1) 3 Second League FBiH (4) / Second League RS (2) 9 Bosnian Cup 3.84m 1 2 3 4 5
Bulgaria 1–3 A PFG (1) – B PFG (1) 2 V AFG (4) 6 Bulgarian Cup 7.36m 1 2 3 4 5
Croatia 1–3 Prva HNL (1) – Druga HNL (1) 2 Treća HNL (5) 7 Croatian Cup 4.29m 1 2 3 4 5
Cyprus 1–3 Division 1 (1) – Division 2 (1) 2 Division 3 (1) 3 Cypriot Cup 0.84m 1 2 3 4 5
Czech Republic 1–4 Gambrinus liga (1) – Czech 2. Liga (1) – Bohemian / Moravian-Silesian (2) 4 Divize (5) 9 Czech Republic Football Cup 10.50m 1 2 3 4 5
Denmark 1–4 Superligaen (1) – Division 1 (1) – Division 2 (2) 4 Denmark Series (3) 7 Danish Cup 5.58m 1 2 3 4 5
England 1–11 Premier League (1) – Championship (1) – League One (1) – League Two (1) – National League System Steps 1 to 6 (but excluding Step 7) (43) 47 Step 7 – teams that play in the FA Vase are notable. 47 FA Cup, FA Trophy, FA Vase or FA Amateur Cup 52.23m 1 2 3 4 5
Estonia 1–3 Meistriliiga (1) – Esiliiga (1) 2 II liiga Ida (2) 4 Estonian Cup 1.29m 1 2 3 4 5
Faroe Islands 1–2 Vodafonedeildin (1) 1 1. deild (1) 2 Faroe Islands Cup 0.05m 1 2 3 4 5
Finland 1–4 Veikkausliiga (1) – Ykkönen (1) – Kakkonen (4) 6 Kolmonen (9) 15 Suomen Cup 5.41m 1 2 3 4 5
France 1–6 Ligue 1 (1) – Ligue 2 (1) – Championnat National (1) – CFA 1 (4) – CFA 2 (8) 15 Division d'Honneur (22) 37 Coupe de France 65.35m 1 2 3 4 5
Georgia 1–3 Umaglesi Liga (1) – Pirveli Liga (1) 2 Meore Liga (2) 4 Georgian Cup 4.50m 1 2 3 4 5
Germany 1–6 Bundesliga (1) – 2. Bundesliga (1) – 3. Liga (1) – Regionalliga (5) – Fußball-Oberliga (12) 20 Verbandsliga (21) 41 DFB-Pokal 81.86m 1 2 3 4 5
Gibraltar † 1 Division 1 (1) 1 1 Rock Cup 0.03m 1 2 3 4 5
Greece 1–4 Superleague (1) – Football League (1) – Football League 2 (2) 4 Delta Ethniki (10) 14 Greek Cup 10.79m 1 2 3 4 5
Hungary 1–3 NB I (1) – NB II (2) 3 NB III (6) 9 Magyar Kupa 9.96m 1 2 3 4 5
Iceland 1–3 Úrvalsdeild (1) – 1. deild karla (1) 2 2. deild karla (1) 3 VISA-bikar 0.32m 1 2 3 4 5
Israel 1–3 Ligat ha'Al (1) – Liga Leumit (1) 2 Liga Alef (2) 4 Israel State Cup 7.88m 1 2 3 4 5
Italy 1–6 Lega Serie A (1) – Lega Serie B (1) – Lega Pro Prima Divisione (2) – Lega Pro Seconda Divisione (2) – Serie D (9) 15 Eccellenza (28) 43 Coppa Italia, Coppa Italia Lega Pro or Coppa Italia Serie D 60.81m 1 2 3 4 5
Kazakhstan 1–2 Premier League (1) – First Division (1) 2 2 Kazakhstan Cup 16.73m 1 2 3 4 5
Latvia 1–3 Virsliga (1) – 1. Līga (1) 2 2. Līga (7) 9 Latvian Cup 2.07m 1 2 3 4 5
Liechtenstein None Liechtenstein Cup 0.04m 1 2 3 4 5
Lithuania 1–3 A Lyga (1) – 1 Lyga (1) 2 II Lyga (2) 4 Lithuania Cup 3.19m 1 2 3 4 5
Luxembourg 1–3 National Division (1) – Promotion d'Honneur (1) 2 1. Divisioun (2) 4 Luxembourg Cup 0.51m 1 2 3 4 5
Macedonia 1–3 1. MFL (1) – 2. MFL (1) 2 2. MFL (5) 7 Macedonian Cup 2.06m 1 2 3 4 5
Malta 1–3 Premier League (1) – First Division (1) 2 Second Division (1) 3 Maltese Cup 0.42m 1 2 3 4 5
Moldova 1–3 Divizia Națională (1) – Divizia A (1) 2 Divizia B (3) 5 Moldovan Cup 3.56m 1 2 3 4 5
Montenegro 1–3 First League (1) – Second League (1) 2 Third League (3) 5 Montenegro Cup 0.62m 1 2 3 4 5
Netherlands 1–3 Eredivisie (1) – Eerste Divisie (1) – Tweede Divisie (2) 4 Derde Divisie (6) 10 KNVB Cup 16.74m 1 2 3 4 5
Northern Ireland 1–4 IFA Premiership (1) – IFA Championship 1 (1) – IFA Championship 2 (1) 3 Ballymena & Provincial / Mid-Ulster / Northern Amateur – NI Intermediate (4) 7 Irish Cup 1.80m 1 2 3 4 5
Norway 1–4 Tippeligaen (1) – Adeccoligaen (1) – Division 2 (4) 6 Division 3 (12) 18 Norwegian Cup 5.02m 1 2 3 4 5
Poland 1–4 Ekstraklasa (1) – I Liga (1) – II Liga (2) 4 III Liga (8) 12 Polish Cup 38.50m 1 2 3 4 5
Portugal 1–4 Primeira Liga (1) – Liga de Honra (1) – Segunda Divisão (3) – Terceira Divisão (8) 13 (22) 13 Taça de Portugal 10.56m 1 2 3 4 5
Republic of Ireland (Jn) 1–3 Premier Division (1) – First Division (1) 2 Leinster SL Senior / Munster SL Premier / Ulster SL (3) 5 FAI Cup 4.59m 1 2 3 4 5
Romania 1–3 Liga I (1) – Liga II (2) 3 Liga III (6) 9 Cupa României 19.04m 1 2 3 4 5
Russia 1–4 Premier League (1) – FNL (1) – Second Division (5) 7 LFL (10) 17 Russian Cup 143.10m 1 2 3 4 5
San Marino 1 San Marino Championship (2) 2 2 Coppa Titano 0.03m 1 2 3 4 5
Scotland 1–8 Premier League (1) – First Division (1) – Second Division (1) – Third Division (1) – Highland / East of Scotland / South of Scotland (3) – SJFA West Region (5) / SJFA East Region (5) / SJFA North Region (3) 20 20 Scottish Cup or Scottish Junior Cup 5.25m 1 2 3 4 5
Serbia 1–3 SuperLiga (1) – Prva Liga (1) 2 Srpska Liga (4) 6 Serbian Cup 7.12m 1 2 3 4 5
Slovakia 1–3 Super Liga (1) – 2 Liga (1) 2 3 Liga (2) 4 Slovak Cup 5.45m 1 2 3 4 5
Slovenia 1–3 PrvaLiga (1) – 2. SNL (1) 4 3. SNL (2) 4 Slovenian Cup 2.06m 1 2 3 4 5
Spain 1–5 La Liga (1) – Segunda División (1) – Segunda División B (4) – Tercera División (18) 24 Divisiones Regionales (top tier) (37) 61 Copa del Rey or Copa Federación de España 46.19m 1 2 3 4 5
Sweden 1–5 Allsvenskan (1) – Superettan (1) – Division 1 (2) – Division 2 (6) 10 Division 3 (12) 22 Svenska Cupen 9.50m 1 2 3 4 5
Switzerland 1–4 Super League (1) – Challenge League (1) – 1. Liga Promotion (1) 3 1. Liga (3) 6 Schweizer Cup 7.95m 1 2 3 4 5
Turkey 1–5 Süper Lig (1) – TFF 1. Lig (1) – TFF 2. Lig (2) – TFF 3. Lig (3) 7 Bölgesel Amatör Lig (13) 20 Türkiye Kupası 74.72m 1 2 3 4 5
Ukraine 1–3 Premier League (1) – Persha Liha (1) – Druha Liha (2) 4 (27) 4 Ukrainian Kubok 45.59m 1 2 3 4 5
Wales 1–4 Premier (1) – CA (1) / WL D1 (1) – WAL D1 (1) / MWL D1 (1) / WL D2 (1) – WAL D2 (1) / MWL D2 (1) / WL D3 (1) 9 9 Welsh Cup 3.01m 1 2 3 4 5

† Full UEFA member, but not affiliated to FIFA.

North America, Central America and Caribbean

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Country Tier Notable Divisions / Groups / Conferences No. Grey Area Total National Cup Pop. Sources
Anguilla 1 AFA League (1) 1 1 N/A 0.02m 1 2 3 4 5
Antigua and Barbuda 1 Premier Division (1) 1 1 Antigua and Barbuda FA Cup 0.09m 1 2 3 4 5
Aruba 1 Division di Honor (1) 1 1 Torneo Copa Betico Croes 0.10m 1 2 3 4 5
Bahamas 1 BFA Senior League (1) 1 1 Bahamas President's Cup 0.35m 1 2 3 4 5
Barbados 1–2 Premier Division (1) 1 First Division (1) 1 Barbados FA Cup 0.27m 1 2 3 4 5
Belize 1 Premier League (2) 2 2 N/A 0.31m 1 2 3 4 5
Bermuda 1 Premier Division (1) 1 1 Bermuda FA Cup 0.06m 1 2 3 4 5
British Virgin Islands 1 BVIFA League (1) 1 1 N/A 0.02m 1 2 3 4 5
Canada 1–4 MLS (2) – NASL (1) – CSL (1) – PDL (4) 8 PCSL – Premier (1) 9 Canadian Championship 34.85m 1 2 3 4 5
Cayman Islands 1 CIFA Premier League (1) 1 1 Cayman Islands FA Cup 0.06m 1 2 3 4 5
Costa Rica 1–2 Primera División (1) 1 Liga de Ascenso (2) 3 N/A 4.30m 1 2 3 4 5
Cuba 1–2 Primera Division (1) 1 Torneo de Ascenso (1) 2 N/A 11.25m 1 2 3 4 5
Curaçao 1 Sekshon Pagá (1) 1 1 N/A 0.15m 1 2 3 4 5
Dominica 1 Premiere League (1) 1 1 KO Tournament (defunct) 0.07m 1 2 3 4 5
Dominican Republic 1 Liga Mayor (1) 1 1 N/A 9.45m 1 2 3 4 5
El Salvador 1–2 Primera División (1) 1 Segunda División (2) 3 Copa Presidente (defunct) 6.18m 1 2 3 4 5
French Guiana † 1 GFF Super League (1) 1 1 Coupe de Guyane 0.24m 1 2 3 4 5
Grenada 1 Premier Division (1) 1 1 N/A 0.11m 1 2 3 4 5
Guadeloupe † 1 Division d'Honneur (1) 1 1 Coupe de Guadeloupe 0.47m 1 2 3 4 5
Guatemala 1–2 Liga Nacional (1) 1 Primera División (2) 3 Copa de Guatemala (defunct) 14.71m 1 2 3 4 5
Guyana 1 GFF National Super League (1) 1 1 Guyana Mayors Cup 0.78m 1 2 3 4 5
Haiti 1 Ligue Haïtienne (1) 1 1 Coupe d'Haïti 10.09m 1 2 3 4 5
Honduras 1–2 Liga Nacional (1) 1 Liga Nacional de Ascenso (4) 5 Honduran Cup (defunct) 8.39m 1 2 3 4 5
Jamaica 1–2 National Premier League (1) 1 KSAFA SL / SCC SL / EC SL / WC SL (4) 5 JFF Champions Cup 2.71m 1 2 3 4 5
Martinique † 1 Championnat National (1) 1 1 Coupe de la Martinique 0.41m 1 2 3 4 5
Mexico 1–4 Primera División (1) – Liga de Ascenso (1) – Segunda División (2) 4 Tercera División (15) 19 Copa México 112.34m 1 2 3 4 5
Montserrat 1 Montserrat Championship (1) 1 1 N/A 0.01m 1 2 3 4 5
Nicaragua 1–2 Primera División (1) 1 Segunda División (1) 2 Copa de Nicaragua (defunct) 5.82m 1 2 3 4 5
Panama 1–2 Liga Panameña de Fútbol (1) 1 Liga Nacional de Ascenso (1) 2 N/A 3.41m 1 2 3 4 5
Puerto Rico 1–2 Primera División (1) 1 Segunda Division (1) 2 Copa de Puerto Rico 3.73m 1 2 3 4 5
Saint Kitts and Nevis 1 SKNFA Super League (1) 1 1 Saint Kitts and Nevis National Cup 0.05m 1 2 3 4 5
Saint Lucia 1 Gold Division (1) 1 1 Saint Lucia FA Cup 0.17m 1 2 3 4 5
Saint Martin † 1 Saint-Martin Championships (1) 1 1 N/A 0.04m 1 2 3 4 5
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1 NLA Premier League (1) 1 1 N/A 0.11m 1 2 3 4 5
Sint Maarten † 1 Sint Maarten League (1) 1 1 N/A 0.04m 1 2 3 4 5
Suriname 1–2 Hoofdklasse (1) 1 Eerste Klasse (1) 2 Surinamese Cup 0.53m 1 2 3 4 5
Trinidad and Tobago 1–2 TT Pro League (1) 1 National Super League (1) 2 Trinidad and Tobago Cup 1.32m 1 2 3 4 5
Turks and Caicos Islands 1 MFL League (1) 1 1 N/A 0.04m 1 2 3 4 5
United States 1–4 MLS (2) – NASL (1) – USL Pro (1) – PDL (9) / NPSL (9) 22 PCSL – Premier (1) 23 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup 313.90m 1 2 3 4 5
US Virgin Islands 1 U.S. Virgin Islands Championship (1) 1 1 N/A 0.11m 1 2 3 4 5

† Full CONCACAF member, but not affiliated to FIFA.

South America

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Country Tier Notable Divisions / Groups / Conferences No. Grey Area Total National Cup Pop. Sources
Argentina 1–5 Torneo de Primera (1) – Nacional B (1) – Primera B (1) / Argentino A (2) – Primera C (1) / Argentino B (8) – Primera D (1) 15 (88) 15 Copa Argentina 40.12m 1 2 3 4 5
Bolivia 1–3 LFPB (1) – Liga Nacional B (1) 2 Torneo Nacional Interprovincial (1) 3 Copa Aerosur 10.43m 1 2 3 4 5
Brazil 1–4 Série A (1) – Série B (1) – Série C (4) – Série D (8) – State Championships Tier 1 (27) – Tier 2 (Paulista Série A2 / Carioca Série B) (3) 44 State Championships Tier 2 (24) – Tier 3 (Paulista Série A3 / Carioca Série C) (5) 73 Copa do Brasil 192.38m 1 2 3 4 5
Chile 1–4 Primera División (1) – Primera División B (1) – Segunda División (1) 3 Tercera División (2) 5 Copa Chile 17.40m 1 2 3 4 5
Colombia 1–3 Primera A (1) – Primera B (1) 2 Primera C (2) (defunct) 4 Copa Colombia 46.61m 1 2 3 4 5
Ecuador 1–3 Primera A (1) – Primera B (1) 2 Segunda Categoría (8) 10 N/A 14.48m 1 2 3 4 5
Paraguay 1–3 División Profesional (1) – División Intermedia (1) 2 Tercera División Nacional B (2) / Metropolitana (1) / Interligas (6) 11 N/A 6.34m 1 2 3 4 5
Peru 1–3 Primera División (1) – Segunda División (1) 2 Copa Perú (1) 2 + Tourn. Copa Inca /
Torneo Intermedio / Torneo Plácido Galindo 		30.14m 1 2 3 4 5
Uruguay 1–3 Primera División (1) – Segunda División (1) 2 Segunda División Amateur (1) 3 N/A 3.25m 1 2 3 4 5
Venezuela 1–3 Primera División (1) – Segunda División (3) 4 Segunda División B (3) 7 Copa Venezuela 27.15m 1 2 3 4 5

Africa

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Country Tier Notable Divisions / Groups / Conferences No. Grey Area Total National Cup Pop. Sources
Algeria 1–3 Ligue 1 (1) – Ligue 2 (1) 2 Ligue Nationale Amateur (3) 5 Algerian Cup 37.10m 1 2 3 4 5
Angola 1–2 Girabola (1) 1 Gira Angola (1) 2 Taça de Angola 20.61m 1 2 3 4 5
Benin 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Benin Cup 9.35m 1 2 3 4 5
Botswana 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 FA Challenge Cup 2.02m 1 2 3 4 5
Burkina Faso 1 Premier League (2) 2 2 Coupe du Faso 15.73m 1 2 3 4 5
Burundi 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Burundian Cup 8.75m 1 2 3 4 5
Cameroon 1–2 Elite One (1) 1 Elite Two (1) 2 Cameroonian Cup 19.41m 1 2 3 4 5
Cape Verde 1 Campeonato Nacional (2) 2 2 Taça Nacional de Cabo Verde 0.49m 1 2 3 4 5
Central African Republic 1 Central African Republic League (1) 1 1 Coupe Nationale 4.58m 1 2 3 4 5
Chad 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Chad Cup 11.27m 1 2 3 4 5
Comoros 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Comoros Cup 0.67m 1 2 3 4 5
Congo 1 Premier League (2) 2 2 Coupe du Congo de football 4.23m 1 2 3 4 5
Congo DR 1 Linafoot (1) 1 1 Coupe du Congo 69.58m 1 2 3 4 5
Côte d'Ivoire 1 Premier Division (2) 2 2 Côte d'Ivoire Cup 21.40m 1 2 3 4 5
Djibouti 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Djibouti Cup 0.82m 1 2 3 4 5
Egypt 1–2 Premier League (1) 1 Second Division (6) 7 Egypt Cup 82.53m 1 2 3 4 5
Equatorial Guinea 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Equatoguinean Cup 0.74m 1 2 3 4 5
Eritrea 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Eritrean Cup 5.58m 1 2 3 4 5
Ethiopia 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Ethiopian Cup 84.32m 1 2 3 4 5
Gabon 1 Championnat National D1 (1) 1 1 Coupe du Gabon Interclubs 1.56m 1 2 3 4 5
Gambia 1–2 First Division (1) 1 Second Division (1) 2 Gambian Cup 1.83m 1 2 3 4 5
Ghana 1–2 Premier League (1) 1 Division One (6) 7 Ghanaian FA Cup 24.66m 1 2 3 4 5
Guinea 1 Championnat National (1) 1 1 Guinée Coupe Nationale 10.82m 1 2 3 4 5
Guinea-Bissau 1 Campeonato Nacional (1) 1 1 Taça Nacional da Guiné Bissau 1.52m 1 2 3 4 5
Kenya 1–2 Premier League (1) 1 Division One (2) 3 FKF President's Cup 38.61m 1 2 3 4 5
Lesotho 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Independence Cup 2.22m 1 2 3 4 5
Liberia 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Liberian Cup 4.25m 1 2 3 4 5
Libya 1–2 Premier League (1) 1 Second Division (5) 6 Libyan Cup 6.47m 1 2 3 4 5
Madagascar 1 THB Champions League (4) 4 4 Coupe de Madagascar (1) 20.70m 1 2 3 4 5
Malawi 1 Premier Division (1) 1 1 Malawi FAM Cup 15.88m 1 2 3 4 5
Mali 1 Première Division (1) 1 1 Malian Cup 14.53m 1 2 3 4 5
Mauritania 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Mauritanian Cup 3.38m 1 2 3 4 5
Mauritius 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Mauritian Cup 1.29m 1 2 3 4 5
Morocco 1–3 GNF 1 (1) – GNF 2 (1) 2 GNFA 1 (4) 6 Coupe du Trône 32.66m 1 2 3 4 5
Mozambique 1 Moçambola (1) 1 1 Taça de Moçambique 23.70m 1 2 3 4 5
Namibia 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 NFA-Cup 2.10m 1 2 3 4 5
Niger 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Niger Cup 16.27m 1 2 3 4 5
Nigeria 1–3 Premier League (1) – National League (4) 5 Nationwide League (4) 9 Nigerian FA Cup 166.63m 1 2 3 4 5
Réunion † 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Coupe de la Réunion 0.82m 1 2 3 4 5
Rwanda 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Rwandan Cup 10.72m 1 2 3 4 5
São Tomé and Príncipe 1 Championship (1) 1 1 Taça Nacional de São Tomé e Príncipe (1) 0.17m 1 2 3 4 5
Senegal 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Senegal FA Cup 12.86m 1 2 3 4 5
Seychelles 1 First Division (1) 1 1 Seychelles FA Cup 0.09m 1 2 3 4 5
Sierra Leone 1–2 Premier League (1) 1 First Division (1) 2 Sierra Leonean FA Cup 6.13m 1 2 3 4 5
Somalia 1 Somalia League (1) 1 1 Somalia Cup (1) 9.80m 1 2 3 4 5
South Africa 1–3 Premier Soccer League (1) – First Division (1) 2 Vodacom League (9) 11 Nedbank Cup 50.59m 1 2 3 4 5
South Sudan 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 South Sudan Cup 8.26m 1 2 3 4 5
Sudan 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Sudan Cup (1) 30.89m 1 2 3 4 5
Swaziland 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Swazi Cup 1.22m 1 2 3 4 5
Tanzania 1 Ligi Kuu Bara (1) 1 1 Nyerere Cup (1) 43.19m 1 2 3 4 5
Togo 1 Championnat National (1) 1 1 Coupe du Togo 6.19m 1 2 3 4 5
Tunisia 1–3 Ligue 1 (1) – Ligue 2 (1) 2 Ligue 3 (2) 4 Tunisian Cup (1) 10.67m 1 2 3 4 5
Uganda 1 Super League (1) 1 1 Ugandan Cup 32.94m 1 2 3 4 5
Zanzibar † 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Zanzibari Cup 0.98m 1 2 3 4 5
Zambia 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Zambian Cup 13.09m 1 2 3 4 5
Zimbabwe 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Cup of Zimbabwe 13.01m 1 2 3 4 5

† Associate member of CAF.

Asia

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Country Tier Notable Divisions / Groups / Conferences No. Grey Area Total National Cup Pop. Sources
Afghanistan 1 Premier League (1) / Kabul Premier League (1) 1 1 N/A 25.50m 1 2 3 4 5
Australia 1–2 A-League (1) / National Soccer League (1) – National Premier Leagues (8) 10 ACT State League 1 (1) / Brisbane Premier League 1 (1) / Central Australia B-Grade (1) / FFSA State League (1) / Gold Coast Premier League (1) / Northern Zone (Darwin Football League) (1) / Northern Premier League (Tasmania) (1) / Southern Premier League (Tasmania) (1) / NSW Super League (1) / NNSW League 2 (1) / Victorian State League Division 1 (1) / Football West State League 1 (1) 22 FFA Cup / NSL Cup / Australia Cup 22.72m 1 2 3 4 5
Bahrain 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Bahraini FA Cup 1.23m 1 2 3 4 5
Bangladesh 1 Premier League (1) / National Football Championship (1) 1 1 Federation Cup 152.52m 1 2 3 4 5
Bhutan 1 A-Division (1) 1 1 N/A 0.72m 1 2 3 4 5
Brunei 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Brunei FA Cup 0.39m 1 2 3 4 5
Cambodia 1 C-League (1) 1 1 Hun Sen Cup 14.48m 1 2 3 4 5
China 1–3 CSL (1) – China League One (1) – China League Two (2) 4 (44) 4 Chinese FA Cup 1,347.4m 1 2 3 4 5
Chinese Taipei 1 City A-League (1) / Enterprise League (1) 1 1 N/A 23.27m 1 2 3 4 5
East Timor 1–2 Super Liga (1) 1 Liga Pre (2) 3 N/A 1.07m 1 2 3 4 5
Guam 1 Division One (1) 1 1 Guam FA Cup 0.16m 1 2 3 4 5
Hong Kong 1–3 HKFA 1st Division (1) – HKFA 2nd Division (1) 2 HKFA 3rd Division (2) 4 Hong Kong FA Cup 7.10m 1 2 3 4 5
India 1–3 I-League (1) – I-League 2nd Division (1) 2 State Leagues (33) 35 Durand Cup / Federation Cup 1,210.2m 1 2 3 4 5
Indonesia 1–2 LPIS – Premier League (1)
LI – Super League (1) 		2 LPIS – Premier Division (3)
LI – Divisi Utama Liga (2) 		7 Piala Indonesia 237.64m 1 2 3 4 5
Iran 1–3 Pro League (1) – Azadegan League (2) 3 2nd Division (2) 5 Hazfi Cup 75.15m 1 2 3 4 5
Iraq 1–2 Premier League (1) 1 Division 1 (1) 2 Iraq FA Cup 33.33m 1 2 3 4 5
Japan 1–4 J1 League (1) – J2 League (1) – J3 League (1) – Japan Football League (1) 5 Regional Leagues (9) 13 Emperor's Cup 127.57m 1 2 3 4 5
Jordan 1 Premier League (1) 1 1 Jordan FA Cup 6.34m 1 2 3 4 5
Kuwait 1–2 Premier League (1) 1 Division One (1) 2 Emir Cup 3.58m 1 2 3 4 5
Kyrgyzstan 1–2 Top Liga (1) 1 Second Level (2) 3 Kyrgyzstan Cup 5.48m 1 2 3 4 5
Laos 1 Lao League (1) 1 1 N/A 6.47m 1 2 3 4 5
Lebanon 1–2 Premier League (1) 1 Second Division (2) 3 Lebanese FA Cup 4.29m 1 2 3 4 5
Macau 1 Primeira Divisão (1) 1 1 Taça de Macau 0.57m 1 2 3 4 5
Malaysia 1–3 Super League (1) – Premier League (1) 2 FAM League (1) 3 FA Cup Malaysia 29.47m 1 2 3 4 5
Maldives 1–2 Dhivehi League (1) 1 Second Division (2) 3 Maldives FA Cup 0.32m 1 2 3 4 5
Mongolia 1 Niislel League (1) 1 1 N/A 2.74m 1 2 3 4 5
Myanmar 1 National League (1) / Premier League (1) 1 1 N/A 48.72m 1 2 3 4 5
Nepal 1 National League (1) / Martyr's Memorial A-Division League (1) 1 1 N/A 26.62m 1 2 3 4 5
Northern Mariana Islands 1 Championship (1) 1 1 N/A 0.05m 1 2 3 4 5
North Korea 1 DPR Korea League (1) 1 1 Republican Championship 24.55m 1 2 3 4 5
Oman 1 Omani League (1) 1 1 Sultan Qaboos Cup 2.77m 1 2 3 4 5
Pakistan 1–2 Pakistan Premier League (1) 1 Pakistan Football Federation League (4) 5 Pakistan National Football Challenge Cup 180.58m 1 2 3 4 5
Palestine 1 Gaza Strip League (1) / West Bank Premier League (1) 2 2 Palestine Cup 4.29m 1 2 3 4 5
Philippines 1–2 UFL Division 1 (1) – UFL Division 2 (2) 2 2 United Football Cup 92.34m 1 2 3 4 5
Qatar 1–2 Qatar Stars League (1) – Qatari 2nd Division (1) 2 2 Emir of Qatar Cup 1.70m 1 2 3 4 5
Saudi Arabia 1–3 Saudi Professional League (1) – First Division (1) 2 Second Division (2) 4 Crown Prince Cup 27.14m 1 2 3 4 5
Singapore 1 S.League (1) 1 1 Singapore Cup 5.18m 1 2 3 4 5
South Korea 1–3 K-League (1) – National League (1) – Challengers League (2) 4 4 Korean FA Cup / KNFC / AKFT 48.58m 1 2 3 4 5
Sri Lanka 1–2 Premier League (1) 1 Division I (2) 3 Sri Lanka FA Cup 20.28m 1 2 3 4 5
Syria 1 Syrian Premier League (2) 2 2 Syrian Cup 21.73m 1 2 3 4 5
Tajikistan 1 Tajik League (1) 1 1 Tajik Cup 7.80m 1 2 3 4 5
Thailand 1–3 Thai League 1 (1) – Thai League 2 (1) 2 Thai League 3
Thai League 4
Thailand Amateur League (5) 		7 Thai League Cup
Thai FA Cup 		65.48m 1 2 3 4 5 6
Turkmenistan 1–2 Ýokary Liga (1) ) 1 1 Turkmenistan Cup 5.17m 1 2 3 4 5
United Arab Emirates 1–3 UAE Pro-League (1) – Division 1 Group A (1) 2 Division 1 Group B (1) 3 UAE President's Cup 8.26m 1 2 3 4 5
Uzbekistan 1–2 Uzbek League (1) 1 First League (2) 3 Uzbekistan Cup 29.12m 1 2 3 4 5
Vietnam 1–3 V-League (1) – First Division (1) 2 Second Division (3) 5 Vietnamese Cup 87.84m 1 2 3 4 5
Yemen 1 Yemeni League (1) 1 1 Yemeni President Cup 24.53m 1 2 3 4 5

Oceania

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Country Tier Notable Divisions / Groups / Conferences No. Grey Area Total National Cup Pop. Sources
American Samoa 1 FFAS Soccer League (2) 1 2 N/A 0.06m 1 2 3 4 5
Cook Islands 1 Championship (1) 1 1 Cook Islands Cup 0.02m 1 2 3 4 5
Fiji 1 National League (1) 1 1 Fiji FA Cup 0.88m 1 2 3 4 5
Kiribati 1 Championship (1) 1 1 N/A 0.10m 1 2 3 4 5
New Caledonia 1 Division Honneur (1) 1 1 New Caledonia Cup 0.25m 1 2 3 4 5
New Zealand 1–3 ASB Premiership / NRFL Premier (2) – NRFL1 / US1 Premiership / Central Premier League / Robbie's PFL / ODT FootballSouth PL (5) – NRFL2 (1) 8 8 Chatham Cup 4.44m 1 2 3 4 5
Palau† 1 Palau Soccer League (1) 1 1 N/A 0.02m 1 2 3 4 5
Papua New Guinea 1 National Soccer League (1) / Club Championship (1) 2 2 N/A 7.17m 1 2 3 4 5
Samoa 1 Samoa National League (1) 1 1 N/A 0.19m 1 2 3 4 5
Solomon Islands 1 Telekom S-League (1) 1 1 N/A 0.55m 1 2 3 4 5
Tahiti 1 Super Ligue Mana (1) 1 1 Tahiti Cup 0.28m 1 2 3 4 5
Tonga 1 Major League (1) 1 1 Tonga Cup 0.10m 1 2 3 4 5
Tuvalu 1 A-Division (1) 1 1 N/A 0.01m 1 2 3 4 5
Vanuatu 1 Premia Divisen (1) 1 1 N/A 0.23m 1 2 3 4 5
Niue †~ 1 Niue Soccer Tournament (1) 1 1 N/A 0.001m 1 2 3 4 5

† Associate member of OFC.
~ Niue is in free association with New Zealand and only has a population of 1,400.

Former countries

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Country Tier Notable Divisions / Groups / Conferences No. Grey Area Total National Cup Pop. Sources
Czechoslovakia 1–3 Czechoslovak Liga (1) – Czech 2. Liga / Slovak First League (2) - Bohemian / Moravian-Silesian / 2 Liga East / 2 Liga West (4) 7 7 Czechoslovak Cup N/A 1 2 3 4 5
East Germany 1–2 DDR-Oberliga (1) – Liga Staffel A / Liga Staffel B (2) 3 3 FDGB-Pokal N/A 1 2 3 4 5
Netherlands Antilles 1 Netherlands Antilles Championship (1) 1 1 N/A N/A 1 2 3 4 5
North Vietnam 1 North Vietnam V-League (1) 1 1 N/A N/A 1 2 3 4 5
North Yemen 1 Yemeni League (1) 1 1 North Yemen Cup N/A 1 2 3 4 5
Saarland 1 Ehrenliga Saarland (1) 1 1 N/A N/A 1 2 3 4 5
South Vietnam 1 South Vietnam V-League (1) 1 1 N/A N/A 1 2 3 4 5
South Yemen 1 Yemeni League (1) 1 1 South Yemen Cup N/A 1 2 3 4 5
USSR 1–4 Top League (1) – First League (1) - Second League (3) - Second League B (10) 15 15 Soviet Cup N/A 1 2 3 4 5
West Germany 1–3 Bundesliga (1) – 2. Bundesliga (1) – Oberliga Nord / Oberliga Berlin / Oberliga Nordrhein / Oberliga Westfalen / Oberliga Südwest / Oberliga Bayern / Oberliga Hessen / Oberliga Baden-Württemberg (8) 10 10 DFB-Pokal N/A 1 2 3 4 5
Yugoslavia (including Serbia and Montenegro) 1–3 First Federal League (1) – Second Federal League (1) - Inter-Republic League (4) 6 6 Yugoslav Cup N/A 1 2 3 4 5

Miscellaneous

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Country Tier Notable Divisions / Groups / Conferences No. Grey Area Total National Cup Pop. Sources
Bonaire 1 Bonaire League (1) 1 1 N/A 0.02m 1 2 3 4 5
Greenland 1 Coca Cola GM (2) 2 2 N/A 0.06m 1 2 3 4 5
Guernsey 1 Priaulx League (1) 1 1 Guernsey FA Cup 0.06m 1 2 3 4 5
Isle of Man 1–2 IOM Premier League (1) 1 IOM Division 2 (1) 2 IOM FA Cup 0.08m 1 2 3 4 5
Kosovo 1 Kosovar Superliga (1) 1 1 Kosovar Cup 1.83m 1 2 3 4 5
Jersey 1 Combination Premiership (1) 1 1 Le Riche Cup 0.10m 1 2 3 4 5
Mayotte 1 Championnat de Mayotte (1) 1 1 Coupe de Mayotte 0.22m 1 2 3 4 5
Micronesia 1 Pohnpei League (1) 1 1 N/A 0.10m 1 2 3 4 5
Northern Cyprus 1 Birinci Lig (1) 1 1 Federasyon Kupası 0.29m 1 2 3 4 5
Somaliland 1 Sera A (1) 1 1 N/A 3.50m 1 2 3 4 5

The following are excluded from the assessment:

States with limited recognition: Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, South Ossetia and Transnistria.

Dependencies and Territories: Åland, Ascension Island, Ceuta, Chagos Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Falkland Islands, Marshall Islands, Melilla, Nauru, Norfolk Island, Plazas de soberanía, Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Svalbard, Tristan da Cunha and Wallis and Futuna.

Other: Basque Country, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Gozo, Monaco, Vatican City and many more featured in the List of non-national representative teams in men's football.

Explanatory footnotes

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Explanatory details are provided below on the respective columns of the Club Notability Tables:

Column 1: Country – with link to the country's league system or football page.

Column 2: Tier – the levels of the league system covered in the Yellow and Blue columns.

Column 3: Notable Divisions / Groups / Conferences – known as the the Yellow column and defines divisions that form the national level of the league structure along with other notable leagues.

Column 4: No. – the number of divisions covered in the Yellow column.

Column 5: Grey Area – known as the the Grey column and defines leagues at the next highest level where some clubs might meet WP:GNG (through existing or potential coverage in reliable independent sources) and others might fail.

Column 6: Total – the total number of divisions covered in the Yellow and Grey columns.

Column 7: National Cup – known as the Blue column and defines the national cup competitions.

Column 8: Pop. – the population of the country taken from Wikipedia's List of countries by population.

Column 9: Sources – key sources to assist in determining WP:GNG:

1. RSSSF – list of champions of the country with links to yearly league competitions.
2. RSSSF – list of cup winners of the country with links to yearly cup competitions.
3. Soccerway – database of league and cup competitions for the country.
4. ABYZ News Links – Newspapers and News Media Guide for the country.
5. Wikipedia's lists of newspapers – list of newspapers provided by country.

Assessment methodology

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The following methodology has been followed in preparing the Club Notability Tables.

1. A comprehensive list of leading leagues was prepared on a national basis using a variety of different sources including Wikipedia, RSSSF and Soccerway.

2. A "weeding out" process was then undertaken of those leagues whose member clubs do not participate in the national cup.

3. Careful consideration was then given to marginal leagues to determine whether their constituent clubs can meet WP:GNG through existing or potential coverage in reliable independent sources. If a reasonable number of a league's member clubs were determined as notable then the league provided a prime candidate for the "Grey Area".

4. Following close scrutiny a pattern emerged that many leagues in the Yellow column needed to be moved to the Grey Column with the subsequent displacement of more marginal leagues out of the Table altogether.

5. Reference was made to key decisions made on club notability issues in WT:FOOTY and the AfD decision-making process. Where there appeared to be the lack of clear guidance a new debate was created on WT:FOOTY.

6. Test challenges on club notability issues were made as part of the AfD process which proved invaluable to this work.

7. Finally, every effort has been made to adopt as consistent approach as possible between countries and continents.

Suggested re-wording of WP:FOOTYN

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The existing wording in WP:FOOTYN is follows:

All teams that have played in the national cup (or the national level of the league structure in countries where no cup exists) are assumed to meet WP:N criteria. Teams that are not eligible for national cups must be shown to meet broader WP:N criteria.

It is suggested by that this is replaced by the following wording which continues to acknowledge the importance of national cup participation while at the same time giving regard to the standard/level of the league which a team has participated in:

Teams are normally assumed to be notable if they have participated in one or more of the following:

  1. a national cup (listed in the Blue Column of the Club Notability Tables).
  2. a notable league (listed in the Yellow Column of the Club Notability Tables).
  3. a league at the next highest level (listed in the Grey Column of the Club Notability Tables) and can meet WP:GNG through existing or potential coverage in reliable independent sources.
  4. a competition of comparable status to one listed in the Blue or Yellow Columns of the Club Notability Tables.

Teams that fail the above criteria (which are incorporated in the Club Notability Test) are assumed non-notable unless they can be shown to meet broader WP:N criteria.

Notwithstanding conformity with the above criteria, if a completed article does not meet the notability standards set down in WP:GNG the article may be considered for deletion.

These change overcome the current difficulties faced in countries where there is very restricted participation in the national cup. At the same time the introduction of the last paragraph ensures that due regard is always given to WP:GNG.

Changing circumstances

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It should always remembered that league systems are dynamic and subject to regular change. Any new developments along with improved media coverage will need to be reflected in the Club Notability Tables. In this respect consultation needs to be ongoing.

Sources

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Useful lists include:

Useful links:

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